Season of Love and Bear Tree Forest

New pattern time!  We shipped both designs to our distributors yesterday.  The 11th ornament of the year is called "Season of Love".  The little snow couple is so cute holding their stick hands.  Stitch it for yourself but it would make a great gift for a newlywed couple!

"Bear Tree Forest" is another design from LHN featuring THE bears.  I know many of you love stitching "winter" so this was designed for you.  The bears can also be seen on the following designs: Snowy Pines (2010 ornament), Pinetop Lodge and Lakeside Lodge.

Next month we have the last ornament and an amazing reproduction from little Mary Ann Myers featuring six very good sized birds.  You are going to love it.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Gingerbread Cookie and Holiday House

The two newest patterns with supply lists are up on our web site!  

Only two more ornaments in the series . . . . . the countdown is on!

Gingerbread Cookie

Holiday House

Finished afghan

A few of you have requested to see a photo of the finished afghan. . . . . the one I switched from primarily black to dominate cream coloring.  It turned out beautiful using Vanna's Choice that I picked up at Michael's.  It's throw size. . . . .just perfect for little 'ole me when chilly nights arrive (if they ever do).

There isn't a pattern for the color scheme but you can see I simply alternated two blocks, swapping the cream and green with each other in the centers but then keeping the black and gold consistent in all of the blocks.  Instructions for granny squares can be found for free on the internet.

The last of summer. . . . .

Yes, I know summer is officially over but in the southwest, it isn't over until the temperatures go down and the butterflies go home.  So I guess it's still summer here because the butterflies are out in abundance!  Or are those moths?  Pretty creatures whatever they are.  And oh do they love our lantana bushes!  Remember Molly our last Golden Retriever?  She would have pounced all over these winged beauties.  Gracie acts like she doesn't even know they're here!

I know some of you have seen snow and felt cold temperatures already.  Looks like we're hanging on to summer just a little bit longer. . . . . .

Happy Stitching,
Diane

September Releases!

Happy Stitches to all!  I just finished updating the LHN web site with the new releases. . . . . . I put together a collage to share with you all. . . . . . I know some of you aren't on FB.  :)   

The photo features Winter Plaid, Country Christmas and My Sheep.

And have you seen the new little kit called Peace Tree?  It contains the chart, silk and button. . . . . you supply the frame or finishing.  Shops: this is available only at Hoffman Distributing.

Did you see the new patterns?

Hi all. . . . just wanted to be sure you had a chance to stop by the LHN web site to see the new patterns.  Our distributors will be getting them this week so shops will see them very soon.

Left to right: Pumpkin Patch Inn, Take Me Out to the Ballgame and It's Snow Cold.

Happy Stitching,

Diane

First there was cross stitch, then there was. . . . .

 . . . . . . .  .Needlepoint!

I received a phone call a few months ago from Gail at Ewe & Eye & Friends telling me she was interested in turning some Little House designs into needlepoint canvases.  I can't tell you yet which designs they are using because I simply don't know but I have given them a lot to choose from.  The first canvases will be released in January at the needlepoint market.

You can see their web site here: Ewe & Eye & Friends

More news. . . . . .  the Little House web site has had a big face-lift.  The format is wider and cleaner leaving more room for larger images in the albums on the individual cross stitch category pages.  Use the tab at the top of the page that says "Cross Stitch" and it will take you to a page with links to the themes of the designs.  

This September marks the 9th year we have been in business.  During that time we have released so many patterns and with more to come, I am desperate to find the best way to sort them all out for you.  More changes will come as ideas pop into my head to make navigating easier.  

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Gracie update and announcement

Yesterday Gracie went to the groomer and had her first ever professional bath and trim.  She looks so cute! It turned out so well that we're thinking it may become a regular event with her.  I'm not saying she liked it though.  When we arrived she looked like she had pretty much had it with all of the "attention" she was getting.  She smells good too if you like the way dogs smell after a bath.  :)

Now on to other things. . . . . . Social media has changed a lot in our industry over the years.  We have taken advantage of two of those avenues for a while now.   Because posts are being duplicated in three spots we're switching things up a bit.  

1.)  The blog is remaining but it will only be used for chats, how-to's or important announcements and of course, pictures of Gracie.  You will no longer see images of new releases here unless there is a special story or how-to attached to the design.

2.)  Facebook (where we have over 2200 followers) will be the spot where we release the new photos of upcoming patterns.  

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-House-Needleworks/336632165123  

If you don't have a Facebook account and don't want one, don't worry.  Patterns will still be on our regular web site so you won't miss a thing.

3.)  The LHN web site will continue to function as it has but we will be adding more pages with information such as supply sources for the materials used in our patterns.  

Moving on. . . . . . many of you probably saw the news release from Crescent Colours the other day regarding the change they made regarding sole distributorship of their products to Hoffman Distributing.  If you didn't, this is news to you!  Anyway, this included the thread packed "kits" that Little House and Country Cottage did for them.  They are still available but instead of getting them from Crescent Colours you are ordering from Hoffman.  

Happy Stitching,

Diane

When a designer is not a photographer. . . . . . .

Have you ever wondered who takes the photos for Little House?  The answer is, I do.  And it isn't easy!  I have had some very nice compliments over the years from stitchers and shop owners on the photos for our covers but in my mind they are never quite good enough.  They either don't capture the details, the colors seem off or the composition is all wrong.  

Just recently a shop owner called on the coloring for the photo "Old Nantucket."  We had a wee of a time trying to figure out if the colors for the house were labeled wrong on the chart or if it was just my photography.  In the end, it was the photograph.  The house itself was the only main color that looked off from the actual model and everything else looked fine.  Why is that?  Does anyone know?  I'd love to be able to bring you covers that would look exactly like the finished piece you are stitching.  

Some of the more difficult fabrics to photograph are grays and greens.  And don't get me started on the gingham checks!!  lol. . . . The greens look grey and the grays look green. Help!  Are there any stitchers that can offer advice as to how to get all the colors looking as they should in the photograph?  I'm open to suggestions.  :)

Happy Stitching,

Diane

New Patterns for July

I know I'm terribly late posting this but since the patterns don't even ship until Monday, I still feel like I'm within the deadline!

The ornament of the month is "Hot Cocoa".  Oh yum!  Wouldn't this make a great box topper if the box was filled with a gift of hot cocoa mix?  Just an idea.  :)

This is our newest "Inn" design called "Patriot Inn".  

It's smaller than most and comes in the Piece of Cake! design line.

Lastly we have "Around the World in 80 Days".  You will see more book covers down the road in 2013.  I think my job for the most part is a fun one.  Designing this chart definitely fell into that FUN category!

The LHN web site will be updated with supply lists within the next few days.  

Stay cool . . . . . .stay indoors and stitch!

Diane